Undergraduate SchoolBachelor of Science in Economics, United States Military Academy 1991Graduate SchoolMaster of Science in Applied Statistics and Operations Research, University of Northern Colorado 1995Law SchoolIndiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law 2002

Anthony (Tony) Aaron is a partner in Ice Miller's Business Group, concentrating his practice in the areas of business law, aviation and antitrust matters. Tony is also a member of the Firm's Agribusiness Team.

In his business practice, Tony regularly advises cooperatives, private companies and not-for-profit organizations on issues related to entity formation, governance, joint ventures, financing, mergers and acquisitions, owner disputes and general operational matters. Since 2003, Tony has participated in more than 90 merger, acquisition and financing transactions and led approximately 70 transactions. Transaction size has ranged from less than $20 million to $2.25 billion. Recent transactions include a $1 billion project financing for a gaming company, $525 million term loan for a public company, $500 million acquisition of a casino and horse racing track, $407.5 million sale of Canadian leasing assets for a public company, $167 million acquisition of a medical instruments company and formation of joint ventures for seed production, flooring installation, road construction and electric arc furnace dust reclamation. Tony also assists a number of clients as their outside general counsel and works with cooperatives on cooperative law, antitrust and governance matters.

Tony also advises clients on issues related to buying, selling, leasing and operating aircraft, including compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and Department of Transportation regulations, tax planning and risk management. Since 2006, Tony has led more than 35 aircraft acquisition, sale and financing transactions ranging from the acquisition of a Diamond DA-40 to the acquisition of a Bombardier Global 5000. The majority of transactions have been in the $3 million to $25 million range. He also has assisted in the acquisition of Part 135 and Part 137 operators and fixed base operators.

In his antitrust practice, Tony frequently represents clients before the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission and state regulators and has assisted clients in a number of civil, criminal and administrative matters, including amnesty applications, price fixing investigations, post-consummation merger investigations, private antitrust suits and business opportunity investigations. He regularly counsels clients on the full range of antitrust issues, including mergers and acquisitions, marketing, distribution, pricing strategies and antitrust immunities and exemptions. Tony defended a ready-mixed concrete producer in a criminal prosecution and related state and federal administrative proceedings and class action litigation, defended an auto parts supplier in a multi-national criminal investigation and defended a client in a post-consummation merger investigation before the FTC.

As a member of the Firm's Agribusiness Team, Tony assists agribusinesses and large producers on business, cooperative and antitrust matters. Recent representations include formation of a seed production joint venture, acquisitions of grain elevators, representing lenders to grain elevators, advising on antitrust considerations in mergers and acquisitions and advising on patronage matters.

Prior to joining the Firm, Tony worked for Macmillan Publishing, EoExchange and Columbia House, serving as a manager or director in almost all corporate functions, including distribution, operations, sales and project management. While with Macmillan Publishing, he managed the construction of its Lebanon, Ind., distribution center, negotiated sales agreements and ensured compliance with the Robinson-Patman Act. At EoExchange, he created and managed project management and customer service departments.

Tony attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., graduating as a Distinguished Cadet with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1991 and as a member of Phi Kappa Phi. From 1991-1999, he served as an armor and field artillery officer in the U.S. Army and the Indiana Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain.

During his military service, Tony earned his master of science degree in applied statistics and operations research from the University of Northern Colorado in 1995. He earned his juris doctorate, summa cum laude, from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, graduating in 2002.

Tony is currently a director and vice president of Indiana War Memorials Foundation, Inc., which provides support to the Indiana War Memorial Commission and the Indiana War Memorial Historic District and vice chair of the Food and Agriculture Committee of the American Bar Association's Antitrust Section. Tony also participated in the Ardath Burkhart Governance and Management Series, sponsored by the United Way of Central Indiana, and the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program. Previously, he served as the chair of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Business Section, president, vice president, strategic planning chair and governance committee chair of Safe Sitter Inc., a director of the West Point Society of Indiana and as secretary and treasurer of Kingsborough Community Association.

Tony gives frequent speeches on issues related to antitrust and aviation. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading and attempting to learn woodworking. He lives in Carmel, Ind., with his wife Cindi and daughters Rachel and Natalie. Tony joined Ice Miller in August 2002. He is admitted to practice law in the state of Indiana.

Representative Transactions

$1 billion project finance for gaming company

$525 million term loan for public company

$500 million acquisition of casino and horse track

$407.5 million sale of Canadian leasing business

$167 million acquisition of surgical instruments business for public company

$23 million acquisition of restaurant chain for public company

$20 million loan to grain elevator

$10 million sale of Colorado casino

Formation of new political subdivision and public charitable trusts in connection with acquisition of sewer and water systems